Author: Julian Sagan
Source: ezinearticles.com

Tanning as become popular after the famous Coco Chanel introduced darker skin color and made it the stylish thing to do. Ever since then women have been trying to get the cherished dusk skin color and dermatologist have been trying to figure out a way to bring paleness back into fashion. Is summer sun really harmful, can tanning be dangerous, who should stay away from sun tanning, & what is the right way to tan to avoid skin problems? We set on a quest to answer all of these questions and here is what we found out.

Let’s start with what tan is. Tan is the skin’s defense reaction to the harmful effects of ultraviolet. The radiation goes through a large number of skin layers and not only heats up the skin but also influences the cells’ DNA, causing mutations. That is the reason why the skin protects itself. The epidermis, top skin layer, contains the cells called melanocytes that become activated in response to sunrays’ impact and produce the pigment called melanin thus creating the dusk interlayer which serves as a filter. This interlayer is what absorbs most of the ultraviolet, preventing its penetration into deeper skin layers. Figuratively speaking tan is the “umbrella” opened by the skin to protect itself from ultraviolet rays.

The tan itself or the dusk skin color is the final product. The beginning stage is the inflammation. Before becoming dusk the skin turns pink or red. The inflammation of higher degree causes sunburn along with blisters and pigment spots. Doctors have actually linked sunburns to cancer. Sunburns received in childhood increase the chances of development of melanoma, one of the most dangerous malignant tumors. Sunburns received at adult age increase the chances of skin cancer development. The tan itself is not harmful but it has to go through the sunburn stage, and sunburns are actually very dangerous. Besides tan has the tendency to accumulate, which means that all sunburns stay in the skin cells’ DNA. Burns received in childhood can surface and affect you even if you never tanned as an adult.

There are several types of skin based on its ability to suntan. People with the first skin type never get a tan but actually receive sunburn after being in the sun for only half an hour. People with the second skin type hardly ever get a tan and easily get sunburns. For people with the third skin type staying in the sun causes a slight burn, which then turns into tan, which can be pretty intense a lot of times. People with the fourth skin type suntan easily without getting sunburns. People with the fifth and sixth skin types have an increase level of melanin and can bear sun in any quantity without getting sunburned. Usually the Caucasians have their skin sensitivity anywhere from the first up to the fourth skin types.

There are people who should never tan. These are the people who have first and second skin types, or people with cancer, or those who have a history of melanomas in their family. You are not allowed to be tanning during chemo therapy or while on antibiotics, since it can cause skin’s hyper pigmentation. People suffering with psoriasis, chronic disease of the immune system that appears on the skin, usually in the form of thick, red, scaly patches, should be extremely careful about tanning, in some cases sun can treat the outbursts but in some cases it can make them even worse. Pregnant women should stay away from the sun as well.

So what is the right way to tan? Preferably you should start tanning in early spring so that by the time summer rolls around you already have a safe tan. If that is not something you can realistically accomplish then at least stay away from the sun from 10am till 4pm when the sun rays are the strongest. You can prepare your skin by going to the tanning salon, which is still harmful but as the saying goes you should choose the lesser of two evils.

Keep in mind that your skin suntans faster in the water, which serves as the lens and amplifies the sun’s strength. The sunrays go into the water up to the depth of 3 feet. It is especially easy to burn if you stay in the sun right after swimming. In this case the water creates little lenses all over your skin which increases the chances of getting sunburn.

In case you do get sunburned here are a few things you can do. Soak a cloth in equal parts cold water and milk and apply to the burned area. You can also take a cold shower or a cold bath, just make sure to avoid soap. Use the aloe vera gel or aloe vera ice cubes to soothe your skin. Make sure to wear loose-fitting cotton clothes so that it doesn’t irritate the affected skin. Also drink a lot of water, if you are sunburned you get dehydrated easily. Finally, try to avoid getting sunburned next time by following the tips you’ve learned so far and using lots of sunscreen.

A common question is do sunscreens with SPF protect your skin. They do protect your skin from inflammation or burns, but not from the harmful impact of ultraviolet rays. If you tan and at the same time don’t burn the risk of developing a melanoma does not actually decrease. In this case the best defense is light cotton clothes that are not snug at all. Although you will not get tan wearing that.

Usually you chose the sunscreen based on your skin type and what exactly you are trying to achieve. The sunscreen with SPF 100 protects your skin a 100% but this protection acts only for a short while after the cream’s application. In this case you will not get a tan. If your goal is to actually get tan you are better off with sunscreen with SPF 15-20.

A lot of people nowadays use auto tanning lotions. We recommend using them in cases of extreme necessity. Anything that’s applied to skin especially on a large area gets inside your body – these auto tanning lotions get absorbed, go through liver and get deactivated. It’s not worth it to put your body through additional burdens.

Another popular concern is the sun aging your skin. The negative impact of the sun is very apparent when demonstrated on the grape. The ripe berries get dried out in the sun and turn into raisins. The same thing happens to the skin of those people who tan in excessive amounts. The advocates and opponents of tanning will look very different. There actually has been an experiment conducted on two twin sisters, one of which lived in California and the other one in the north of the USA. The latter one looked way younger than the one living in California and being exposed to sun all the time.

Of course it is impossible to stay away from the sun completely, but following the tips mentioned above will ensure better and safer tanning.

Julian Sagan is the CEO and owner of a Penis Enlargement Products company. Dedicated to providing factual information about various penis enlargement products available on the market today. Copyright 2007 Julian Sagan of Penis Enlargement Products. This article may be freely distributed if this resource box stays attached.